12 week countdown

[MarmaladeJane]

Completed week 4 on my London Marathon training plan! It was a 90 min training session today including a mix of 60 mins of running and 30 mins brisk walking, So happy to have made it this far. 😊 

I’m following the beginners plan as it’s 18 years since I last ran a marathon. And I definitely feel like a beginner and I’m much slower than I used to be but just so happy to be running again. Thanks to couch to 5k I finally managed to get back to running regularly. I’ve made so many attempts over the years but something always got in the way.

And the 12 week countdown begins. Still keeping my fingers crossed I can make it to the start line. I’m very happy to see that week 5 is a quieter week with less running so hopefully this will help with my recovery from all the training. 

Now I need some advice, what to do about bruised toenails? I have already gone up a size in trainers but a couple of toes feel sore. I’m also going to need to know more about marathon fuelling. I used to run with a 50:50 mix of orange juice and water but I might try energy gels. Any suggestions on where to get some good advice?  

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Good luck with the training!

I still get bruised (and black) toenails over long runs at any sort of pace beyond slow! I don't think it's the end of my shoes that I hit - rather I believe I curl my toes with tension and it's the ground the end of my toes hit. While running I try to consciously uncurl my gripping toes!!! But mostly I accept that every half marathon will result in two or more black nails which will take about 6 months to fall off and start to regrow - just in time for the next half marathon 🤣

Fuelling is a very personal thing and your best bet is to experiment throughout training until you find what works for you. There are several posts on here about fuelling. This post discusses fuelling for a half marathon: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[MarmaladeJane Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 . Very helpful. I will have a closer read tomorrow. I’m also going to the London Marathon ‘Meet Our Experts’ event next Saturday so I will hopefully get lots of good advice.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MarmaladeJane]

That sounds fab!!!

[Teresa1632 Marathon]

I found that I had to go up 1.5 sizes for my shoes (Saucony). Fuelling - its very individual though I fuel (sip) electrolyte drink every 40 mins, and take in 20g carbs an hour. In warm weather, I also take a dioralyte drink about an hour before. The key to fuelling is to carb load 3 days before, and the day before, sip water/electrolyte drinks all day.

Training is the ideal time to experiment with fuelling. Enjoy every minute of the experience!

[MarmaladeJane Half Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

Thanks Teresa1632 . I have just bought another pair of ASICS and although only 1 size up from my normal size they seem to be really big with loads of space at the end. I also have the winter / waterproof version of the same shoe which is the one I’ve been running in. Strangely even though it’s the same size it’s a slightly different shape and has less space.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Sounds good! Which plan are you following? I’m running the Newport one, which I think is on the same day and am using the Nike Run Club plan (again). After 18 years, I think you’ve made the right decision to follow the beginners plan.

As for toenails, I think it’s a balance between keeping them short enough so that they don’t bruise but long enough so that they don’t dig in. Might also help to do some calf stretches (if your calves are tight, you work harder to lift your foot which can cause your toes to lift up and rub on the top of your shoes).

I think some of the other reply have covered fuelling; it’s something that I need to address soon!

Hope your jorney to the marathon continues to go well.

[MarmaladeJane Half Marathon]

Thanks SkiMonday . I’m following the TCS London Marathon beginners plan. It only has 3 runs a week which works for me. Strangely, I found todays run quite hard. I only had to run for 20 mins so in my mind it should have been a very easy run, but somehow it didn’t feel that way. Could be that I was still tired after my last long run on Saturday.

Good luck with your training, it will be good to hear how you are doing and anyone else who is training for a marathon in the next few months. Is anyone else here running the London Marathon?

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to MarmaladeJane]

Thanks MJ. I often find it's the runs where I don't feel great at the start that go best! Think it might be something to do with taking it easy at the start.